Words to Know
VACB
A procedure in which a small sample of suspicious tissue is removed from the breast. An imaging device is used to guide a hollow probe connected to a vacuum device. The probe is inserted through a tiny cut made in numbed skin on the breast and the tissue sample is then removed using gentle vacuum suction and a small rotating knife within the probe. The tissue sample is studied under a microscope to check for signs of disease. This procedure causes very little scarring and no stitches are needed. Also called vacuum-assisted biopsy, vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
vacuum-assisted biopsy or vacuum-assisted core biopsy
Also called VACB. A procedure in which a small sample of suspicious tissue is removed from the breast. An imaging device is used to guide a hollow probe connected to a vacuum device. The probe is inserted through a tiny cut made in numbed skin on the breast and the tissue sample is then removed using gentle vacuum suction and a small rotating knife within the probe. The tissue sample that is removed is studied under a microscope to check for signs of disease. This procedure causes very little scarring and no stitches are needed. Also called vacuum-assisted biopsy, vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
vandetanib
A medicine being studied in the treatment of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Vandetanib prevents the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It also blocks enzymes needed for cell growth and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Also called VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A substance that blocks an enzyme needed to form blood vessels. One example of a VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor is pazopanib hydrochloride (brand name, Votrient), which is being studied for the treatment of breast cancer.
vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide
Also called VEGF-AS. A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to the RNA for a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide blocks the cell's ability to make VEGF, which may kill tumors that need new blood vessels to grow.